I bought a pink hamper with a lid because the white one was boring and the lid was supposed to keep the cat out. What I got was a 32-inch tall basket that holds about two and a half loads if you jam the clothes down, and the lid only stayed closed for the first week.
The mistake I made
I measured the corner in my bedroom and saw 32 inches would fit. I didn't think about how the clothes pile up before it overflows. The lid sits on top, so when the laundry level gets near the top, the lid rests on the clothes and presses them down. By Friday, it's closed only because the bulge is pinned under it, and I'm pulling clothes from under the rim. Not the look I was going for.
What I should have done: look for a hamper with a lid that's held on by clips or a hinge, not just resting on the rim. The resting lid is the first thing to fail. Within two weeks, ours started sliding off whenever I carried the hamper, because the top edge has no grip.
What to look for in a pink hamper with lid
After this, I measured more carefully and looked at the construction instead of just the size. Here are the checks I'd do, in order:
Lid attachment – Press the lid down from the center. If it rocks on the rim, it'll slide off. Look for a raised lip on the basket that the lid sits inside, or clips. Hinged lids are best, but they cost more and sometimes the hinge breaks.
Height vs. width – A tall, narrow hamper (like 32" tall, 18" wide) tips over more easily than a short, wide one when it's half full of towels. Ours is in a corner, so it only falls when the cat jumps on it, but it happens weekly. My next will be wider and maybe 28" tall.
Holes or not – Pink hampers with lids, especially ones that look like woven baskets, often have open weave. The lid blocks view from above, but if the sides have big gaps, the laundry is visible and dust gets in. The one I bought looks better in the photo than in real life – it's plastic coated, so it's wipeable, but the weaving is a bit glossy.
Handle placement – The handles are on the sides, which is fine for carrying, but when the hamper is full, the top edge digs into the sides. Check for handles that are integrated, not just straps stuck on. My handles are fabric loops, and one is already turning inside out after six weeks.
What to do instead, if you're still shopping
Don't buy the exact same model I did. The lid off after a month is the main complaint you'll see across pink hampers with lids – it's not just me. If you need the lid to stay put, get one with a hinged flap, even if it means a smaller opening. Or consider a hamper with a zipper lid, like some pop-up cubes, but those look less like a basket.
I kept the hamper but stopped using the lid. The cat barely notices, and the clothes pile up over the top at the same rate. The lid only covers when the hamper is nearly empty, which isn't when you need a lid.
Rolling Hamper With Lid: What Broke on Ours and the 4 Checks That showed me exactly why the lid on that one cracked – same story different angle. And if you're on a budget, Hampers Paper Bag: The $9 Fix That Holds Up Better Than a $60 Hamper is worth reading before you spend real money.
Who should skip this purchase
Quite honestly, if you only wash once a week and produce more than two loads, skip the 32-inch size altogether. You'll be pulling clothes from under a toppled lid every Sunday. The only buyers I'd point to this hamper are singles or couples who do laundry every other day and don't overstuff. The lid is not a proper lid — it's a decorative circle that sits there until you look away.